God wants you to be happy!

[Smalcald]

Indeed.

It is a hard thing, but it helps me to remember the scripture that states that the things, which are seen, are temporary, and the things, which are unseen, are eternal. Our faith is in something eternal, which is unseen.

Most of our day to day life is spent dealing with the things that are seen, and yet none of them are eternal, all pass away, so I can have a joy in the unchanging, invisible eternal regardless of what is happening to my body, my possessions, my life, my friends or even my family.

[nebula]

OK, OK . . .

po-tay-to / po-tah-to

I wasn't trying to focus on the happiness vs. joy teaching.

I meant to focus on the end to misery being not in our circumstances changing, but in our attitude changing.

Can we agree that this is Scriptural?

[bethshemaiah]

OK, OK . . .

po-tay-to / po-tah-to

I wasn't trying to focus on the happiness vs. joy teaching.

I meant to focus on the end to misery being not in our circumstances changing, but in our attitude changing.

Can we agree that this is Scriptural?

Okay Nebula, how about this.....?

I would have a bad attitude if it wasn't for the joy of the Lord........

Yes, I agree that it is an attitude that we must have.... one that embraces that happiness or joy is not about us but about what Jesus can accomplish in our lives...... I still don't feel "happy" though.... at the moment

I still trust Him and hold onto the fact that He is my provider and will accomplish His purpose in me..... that is my joy.

Sorry just cannot let it go.......

Bethany

[EricH]

OK, OK . . .

po-tay-to / po-tah-to

I wasn't trying to focus on the happiness vs. joy teaching.

I meant to focus on the end to misery being not in our circumstances changing, but in our attitude changing.

Can we agree that this is Scriptural?

I agree, as long as we don't define attitude as simply having a "positive outlook".

[nebula]

I need a *faint* smiley so bad.

[EricH]

I need a *faint* smiley so bad.

I don't understand what you are attempting to communicate here?

[bethshemaiah]

I need a *faint* smiley so bad.

Maybe this is it?

[nebula]

I don't understand what you are attempting to communicate here?

I'm trying to show a forest, and everyone is nit-picking the trees.

God wants us to be happy - joyful, content, whatever term picks your fancy . . .

The trouble is we want God to change our circumstances to bring us to this state, condition, whatever . . .

But He was us to change our attitude - outlook, perspective, focus, whatever concept fits your theology - for said above state to happen, to be, however you want to word it.

Better?

[ayin jade]

God wants us to be happy - joyful, content, whatever term picks your fancy . . .

I can agree with that.

The trouble is we want God to change our circumstances to bring us to this state, condition, whatever . . .

Man centered. Not what God intends.

But He was us to change our attitude - outlook, perspective, focus, whatever concept fits your theology - for said above state to happen, to be, however you want to word it.

Christ centered. This is what He intends.

Good post Neb.

[Joshua-777]

Problem is . . . we want God to make us happy by changing our circumstances.

But . . . God wants to make us happy by changing our attitude.

A factor, that's important to remember, God never says it's going to be easy, and he never says we will never suffer in this world. He says we will go through trials, and tribulations to perfect our faith, and strengthen us, "james 1:2-6, Romans 5" I do agree with what your saying about changing our attitudes towards our circumstances "philipians 4"

The way I see it, I would rather overcome a mountain than stumble on a little hill.